Accuracy of three methods used for Thai children's body weight estimation

Accurate children's weight estimation is necessary and important for emergency pediatric care, particularly for drug dosages, electrical therapy, or equipment sizes. Children's weight is difficult to measure in critically ill patients. Several methods were developed to estimate children's accurate weight. Most methods were developed from western countries. The methods used currently might not work with Thai children. To determine the accuracy of the Broselow tape, family member estimation and the 50th percentile of national weight for height correlation graph for Thai children's weight estimation. The authors carried out a prospective study. Children from neonate to 12 years old who presented to the emergency department and general outpatient pediatric clinic were included. The patients were studied in both overall and subgroup analysis (less than 10 kg, 10 to 25 kg, 25 to 40 kg, and over 40 kg). The primary outcome was the accuracy within 10% error of the measured weight and the mean difference of the weight. Five hundred ninety five patients were included in the present study. There were 333 (55.97%) boys and 262 (44.03%) girls. Family member estimation was the most accurate method with the accuracy within 10% error 85.21% and had the lowest mean difference (-0.262 kg). Family members could estimate weight accurately for all weight subgroups. The Broselow tape was the second most accurate method with the accuracy within 10% error 56.13% and the low mean difference (-0.485 kg). The accuracy within 10% error of the 50th percentile of national weight for height correlation graph was 51.43% and the mean difference was -0.648 kg. Every method had the best estimation in the weight subgroup 10 to 25 kg except the Broselow tape. Family member estimation was the most accurate method in the present study. The family member could estimate the children's weight within 10% error of the measured weight about 85% of cases. In case where family member estimation was not available, the Broselow tape was the next accurate alternative method.